Faithful on Fridays Blog

Language is everything. Whether writing a term paper, closing argument, or sermon the language you choose conveys your message. God chose His language carefully so we can better understand Him and His ways. Our last worship word is rua meaning to shout, cry out loudly, or blast a horn for a war cry.

Rua is the Hebrew word used in the story of Joshua and Jericho. God instructed Joshua to follow this order as they marched around the city every day: armed men first, the ark of His Presence in the middle, and priests last. On the seventh day they were to encircle the city seven times, only then to blow the trumpets. When the people heard that call to war, the rua, they were,

… to shout with a great shout and the wall of the city will fall down flat. Josh. 6:5

God gave the assignment and His Word was fulfilled. The people shouted (rua) and the walls came tumbling down!

The rua or shout can also be used in praise to God.

Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! Psalms 47:1

So whether you’re shouting about God’s greatness or sounding a battle cry the term is rua but be assured unless you have God’s assignment, the walls will not fall down. What?

The prophet Samuel began his ministry (1 Sam. 4) as Eli the priest and his two evil sons called the people to war with the Philistines. God’s people lost the first battle and questioned why the Lord let them be defeated. Their own answer was not to seek God’s word from the prophet but to bring the ark, as they remembered Joshua and Jericho, and let it save them as well.

Hmmmmm: a battle, trumpet blast, shouting that was so loud it literally shook the earth (rua), surely they would be triumphant. However, they were defeated again, big time, and the Philistines received the victory. Why? Because you can’t copy someone else’s word from God; you have to get your own. That’s true for us as well. We may think we should have more influence, bigger numbers, promotions, or recognition but until we get a word from the Lord it’s best to continue praying and be patient.

Jesus told us that angels will be preceding Him in the Second Coming (Matt. 24:31), sounding their loud trumpet call (rua), and gathering His elect from the earth. Paul tells us:

… in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:52

Lastly, John writes that he was in the Spirit and heard the rua, a loud voice like a trumpet (Rev. 1:10) as he wrote of the end of days. Join me in celebrating our victories as we obey His voice and look forward to that day when we will shout of the final victory.